Necklace that TEXTS your friends
And other clever devices to keep us safe now we’re out at night
THE murder of Sarah Everard last month has left many women more nervous than ever about going out alone after dark — though after lockdown, no one wants to feel trapped at home.
So should you carry a personal attack alarm? Is a colour spray more effective? And could you be prosecuted for carrying a metal pen to use in self-defence?
Steve Helliwell, who runs a personal protection company called Aldermans, says your first focus should be on prevention.
He recommends sticking with other people whenever possible, and having a ‘buddy system’, so one member of the group is nominated to stay sober enough to watch out for others. You should also tell friends where you go and who you might meet.
If you are approached by someone and feel unsafe, make as much fuss and noise as you can. ‘Scream at the top of your lungs,’ says Steve, ‘and fight like hell.’
He suggests carrying a personal alarm attached to a keyring or belt. The best way to use an attack alarm is to hold it close to the attacker’s face, then drop it by their feet and run to a busy area if you can. To attract attention, shout ‘call the police!’ or ‘I’m being attacked’.
Steve warns that any potential ‘weapon’ you carry in self-defence needs to have an innocent use. Pepper spray is no longer sold in the Ireland but you’ll find adverts online for reinforced metal ‘pens’ advertised as being strong enough to break glass if you are trapped in a car. You could still end up in trouble with the police if you use them in self-defence, though Steve says no one could argue with your decision to carry an ordinary (if robust) metal pen.
We asked Steve to rate some personal protection devices . . .
CHARM ALARM
Invisawear pendant, €153.95, invisawear.com A GOLD-plated pendant (see picture above) that you wear on a chain around your neck or on a bracelet, which has a hidden button on the back. Pair it with the Invisawear app (via Bluetooth) and input the names and numbers of five friends/family.
Push it twice and the charm will text these contacts, telling them you need help and giving your GPS location, saying ‘if you are unable to contact XX, please send help to their location’. EXPERT VERDICT: This is discreet, but you need to wear it every time you go out — and always have your phone with you, as it uses the phone’s GPS tracker. MY VERDICT: This is costly and you can’t recharge or replace the battery, so it has a limited life (one to two years). On the plus side, I wouldn’t be likely to set it off accidentally. 3/5
KEEP TRACK
Cheetah Personal GPS tracker, €115, amazon.co.uk A KEY fob that’s rechargeable, with an SOS button which texts and phones up to three contacts in turn until one answers. A two-way speaker in the device allows you to communicate without using your phone. The tracker has a SIM card that links to a phone app called Locaite (it also has a fall detection alert useful for the elderly or infirm) and the option of geofencing, which triggers an alarm if the wearer strays or is taken outside a set area. EXPERT VERDICT: A belt-andbraces device ideal for group nights out and awayday trips. MY VERDICT: Expensive but thorough. All options covered. 5/5
MAKE A NOISE
Personal Alarm With Torch, €13.24, crothers.ie A SMALL keyring torch with a 128-decibel alarm when you pull out the chain. The alarm stops if you plug the chain back in. EXPERT VERDICT: Inexpensive, small and very loud, with reasonable battery life, but could easily be damaged. MY VERDICT: What if the chain came out and triggered the alarm? 4/5
STICK TOGETHER
Alphahom Care Go, €39.10, amazon.co.uk A LIPSTICK-sized device that links to a (free) app on your iPhone, it pushes an SOS alert and GPS location to any number of contacts provided they also download the app.
When you pull the top outwards, it will alert your emergency contacts with real-time GPS tracking — or twist the top to trigger a ‘follow me’ function which allows them to follow your progress on a map on their phone via GPS. EXPERT VERDICT: Small and with a good battery life, but it won’t work with Android phones. MY VERDICT: Not likely to be set off accidentally, and suitable for children and the elderly. 4/5
RED ALERT
Farbgel red dye colour spray, €12.66, amazon.co.uk A MINI-spray can of red dye which, sprayed on an attacker (aim for the face or hands), is hard to wash off, making them easy to identify if caught. EXPERT VERDICT: Paint can make an attacker think twice but in fact the dye isn’t that hard to remove and you’re relying on the police to search for the offender before they manage to do so. MY VERDICT: Wouldn’t be enough to make me feel safe. 2/5